THE WALL OF FACES

May those who served never be forgotten. Rest in peace PVT. Cruce, I salute your brave soul. My heart goes out to you and your family. Semper Fidelis!

A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam
And for a brief moment its glory
and beauty belong to our world
But then it flies again
And though we wish it could have stayed...
We feel lucky to have seen it.

On June 13, 1965, a group of Marines were returning in a truck to their unit from a recreational swim outing at a beach near Chu Lai in Quang Tin Province, RVN, when a grenade reportedly fell from the belt of one of the men and detonated. The blast, which ignited a five-gallon jug of fuel, killed two and injured another twenty. The two lost Marines were CPL Edgar C. Brown and PFC Francisco X. Saenz, infantrymen from D Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. One of the eight critically wounded, PVT Clayton L. Cruce, also from D/1/4, was medically evacuated to a U.S. Air Force hospital in Japan where he expired June 21, 1965. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “3 Marines Die, 19 Hurt in Blast.” Pacific Stars & Stripes, June 15, 1965; and “Blast Labeled An Accident.” Pacific Stars & Stripes, June 16, 1965]

Dear Pvt Clayton Cruce,
Thank you for your service as a Basic Infantryman. It is so important for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.